armour or not?

[wizzzard]

Iv just bought my twelve year old his first motocross bike. Its only a chinese import but its cheap enough to test the waters with to see if this sport grabs him after he was put out of football with a broken knee.

We will be using someones land to practice on this sunday and im hoping to get to the local mx track with him next wednesday but i was wondering about the level of kit he should be wearing.

He has a good quality helmet, gloves and boots and thick mx pants and shirt but i was wondering should we also add some armour to the mix.

Knowing nothing at all about mx im not sure how important the armour is on soft ground so any advice would be greatly appreciated
____________________
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[MattHirst]

The only difference between riding on the road and on the mucky stuff is that you probably won't get road rash if you come off. Considering you won't be going anywhere near as quick most of the time, you are likely to just flop to the ground off the side of your bike (loosing your footing etc).

Anyhow, to be fair i would go for all the protection you can fit on him/afford. I for one won't ride without anything less than full leathers, back protector, boots, gloves and lid (i aren't riding offroad though, onroad only), you will know the reason why i have a thing about not wearing full gear on the bike.

I take it your taking him upto Flappits? If so then try and get up mid week, it is absolutley horrendous at weekends (last time me and my dad were up there, there was even 2 chavs on a CG125 with a tea towel of the plate ). No, seriously, it is full of nut jobs at the weekend. Still get a few mid week but its a lot quieter.

Edit - Bloody dyslexic keyboard, excuse any typos ive missed, its 5:30 and still not slept
____________________
It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[wizzzard]

Thanks matt it will be flappits this sunday to teach him to ride then were going to start going to doncasters mx track next week once he feels more confident on the bike. I do agree on the full gear principle and always wear it myselfi totally understand why you do too.

Was a bit of a daft question really ill be getting him some armour then
____________________
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[.....]

Get some armour. At the very least it will help when he gets roosted, that can be pretty nasty.

[JBurrows88]

The Flapit can be really dangerous... I had a friend get taken out my a quad few months back upthere!

I'd get some good body armour.. I've crashed once or twice offroading... Without protection i'd been a mess!

Definatly get back, shoulder, anckle (good high boots), hands, and head (obviously) protection for offroading. My friend, an abulance driver, had to recently take a guy who had put his foot through his front wheel offroad. Wasn't nice!
____________________
Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

[wizzzard]

[silky666]

[Blue_SV650S]

Boots lid and gloves are obvious, but most of the kids I see doing MX have a neck brace and combined upper spine thingy.

like this:-
https://image.dirtrider.com/f/9747915/141_0804_01_z+alpinestars_bionic_neck_support+brace.jpg

They also have on the standard armour like this:-
https://www.dirt-bike-tips-and-pics.com/images/sixsixone-body-armour.jpg

I use stuff I already had for my other hobbies ...

My minimoto body armour like this (had built in back protector):-

https://www.dirttradersaustralia.com.au/data/storage/attachments/1209039507.JPG

And my Karting neck brace like this:-

https://www.roostracing.co.uk/images/EVS/RC1L.jpg

And I wear MX bottoms and a simple army jacket. I also wear kneepad/shinpads like this:-

https://reviews.mtbr.com/files/2008/03/armor_scratches.jpg


If nothing else kitting him out in all the gear will get it onto his noggin if hes riding a bike, he should kit up appropriately ... that has to be a good thing when he hits 16 and gets on the road
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[Blue_SV650S]

[silky666]

[wizzzard]

A massive thanks for all the info everybody,as always BCF comes through with sound advice.

Ill be taking him out to teach him to ride tomorrow but he wont be doing anything other than riding on the flat so he should be fine but iv seen some armour that ill go pick up for him next week before he goes on a proper mx track
____________________
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward